Abuja, 20 February 2014, SERAP.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has described the suspension of the Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi “a distraction and can only contribute to shifting the focus of the government from the real issue, which is finding the missing $20 billion oil money.”

SERAP in a statement today by its executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said that, “The government should not politicise the fight against corruption. Our concern remains the urgent, thorough, transparent and effective investigation into allegations that $20 billion oil money is missing from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

“If it is true that the suspension is linked with Sanusi’s public disclosure of the missing funds, SERAP believes that this will be clearly wrong and contrary to the government’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption to target a whistle-blower simply for public the information in the public domain. No one should be victimized for contributing to the fight against corruption, which is the moral and legal responsibility of any serious, open and people’s oriented government.”

“Unless the government comes clean about what exactly has happened to the $20 billion missing oil money, the NNPC will remain unaccountable to Nigerians for its action. This will not be consistent with the attitude of a government establishment funded with tax payers’ money. The government’s action in finding the missing money and punishing suspected perpetrators is critical if it is to enjoy the trust and confidence of Nigerians in the fight against corruption.”

Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
www.serap-nigeria.org